Scanner module and image scanning apparatus employing the same

Abstract

A scanner module and an image scanning apparatus employing the same. The scanner module comprises an illuminator for illuminating light on an object to be scanned. The illuminator includes a light emitting diode, a light guide extending in a main scanning direction to change a direction of the light received from the light emitting diode, and at least one elastic member to elastically support at least one longitudinal end of the light guide. As the light guide is elastically supported by the elastic member, convex deformation or bowing of an emission face of the light guide due to thermal expansion can be reduced.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A scanner module for use in an image scanning apparatus to scan an object, comprising:
 a light source configured to produce light emitted by the scanner module to scan the object; and 
 a heat radiating member made of an elastically deformable material to cause the light source to come into close contact with the heat radiating member and configured to dissipate heat generated from the light source when the light source produces the light. 
 
     
     
       2. The scanner module according to  claim 1 , wherein the radiating member comprises a metallic leaf spring. 
     
     
       3. The scanner module according to  claim 1 , wherein the heat radiating member is made of a thermally conductive material. 
     
     
       4. The scanner module according to  claim 1 , wherein the light source comprises a light emitting diode. 
     
     
       5. An image scanning apparatus, comprising:
 a scanner module, 
 wherein the scanner module comprises:
 an illuminator configured to illuminate light on an object to be scanned; and 
 a sensor configured to detect the light reflected from the object, 
 
 wherein the illuminator comprises:
 a light source configured to produce the light illuminated on the object to scan the object; and 
 a heat radiating member to dissipate heat generated from the light source when the light source produces the light, the heat radiating member being made of an elastically deformable material. 
 
 
     
     
       6. The image scanning apparatus according to  claim 5 , wherein the heat radiating member is made of a thermally conductive material. 
     
     
       7. The image scanning apparatus according to  claim 5 , wherein the light source comprises a light emitting diode. 
     
     
       8. A scanner module for use in an image scanning apparatus to scan an object, comprising:
 a light source configured to produce light; 
 a heat radiating member configured to dissipate heat generated from the light source; and 
 a light guide having an elongated shape with its length extending along a first direction, the light guide being configured to receive the light from the light source, and to change a direction of the received light, 
 wherein the heat radiating member is in contact with the light source. 
 
     
     
       9. The scanner module according to  claim 8 , wherein the light source is mounted on the longitudinal end of the light guide. 
     
     
       10. The scanner module according to  claim 9 , wherein the light source comprises a pair of light sources, and
 wherein the heat radiating member comprises a pair of heat radiating members to come contact with the pair of light sources respectively. 
 
     
     
       11. The scanner module according to  claim 8 , wherein the heat radiating member includes a first portion in contact with the light source to dissipate heat generated from the light source and a second portion extending from the first portion without making contact with the light source. 
     
     
       12. An image scanning apparatus, comprising:
 a scanner module, 
 wherein the scanner module comprises: 
 an illuminator configured to illuminate light on an object to be scanned; and 
 a sensor configured to detect the light reflected from the object, 
 wherein the illuminator comprises: 
 a light source configured to produce the light; 
 a light guide having an elongated shape with its length extending along a first direction, the light guide being configured to receive the light from the light source, and to change a direction of the received light; and 
 a heat radiating member to dissipate heat generated from the light source, and wherein the heat radiating member is in contact with the light source. 
 
     
     
       13. The image scanning apparatus according to  claim 12 , wherein the heat radiating member is a made of an elastically deformable material to cause the light source to come into close contact with the heat radiating member. 
     
     
       14. The image scanning apparatus according to  claim 13 , wherein the radiating member comprises a metallic leaf spring. 
     
     
       15. The image scanning apparatus according to  claim 12 , wherein the light source holder is mounted on the longitudinal end of the light guide. 
     
     
       16. The image scanning apparatus according to  claim 15 , wherein the light source comprises a pair of light sources, and
 wherein the heat radiating member comprises a pair of heat radiating members to come in contact with the pair of light sources respectively. 
 
     
     
       17. The image scanning apparatus according to  claim 12 , wherein the heat radiating member includes a first portion in contact with the light source to dissipate heat generated from the light source and a second portion extending from the first portion without making contact with the light source. 
     
     
       18. An image forming apparatus comprising:
 a document bed; and   a scanning module operable to scan a document placed on the document bed, the scanning module including an illuminator to illuminate light onto the document to be scanned, and a sensor to detect the light reflected by the document, the illuminator including:   a first light source;   first light guide to receive light produced from the first light source;   a second light source;   a second light guide to receive light from the second light source, each of the first light guide and the second light guide having an elongated shape with an incidence face formed on one of longitudinal ends thereof to receive light, each of the first light guide and the second light guide to change a direction of the light received through the incidence face;   a heat radiating member made of an elastically deformable material to cause the first light source to come into close contact with the heat radiating member and to dissipate heat generated from the first light source when the first light source produces the light; and   a first light source holder having a reflective material at least on a side surface thereof facing the incidence face of the first light guide, the first light source being mounted to the first light source holder,   wherein the first light guide and the second light guide includes:
 a first guide face, 
 a second guide face, 
 an emission face provided between the first guide face and the second guide face to emit light from the respective light guide to the document to be scanned, and 
   a reflecting face located opposite to the emission face to reflect light received through the incidence face,   wherein each of the first guide face and the second guide face extends between the longitudinal ends of the first light guide and the second light guide, respectively, such that a first plane corresponding to the first guide face forms an acute angle with a second plane corresponding to the second guide face.   
     
     
       19. The image forming apparatus of claim 18, wherein the reflective material of the first light source holder has a light reflectivity of 70% or greater. 
     
     
       20. The image forming apparatus of claim 18, wherein the reflective material of the first light source holder is made out of a white material. 
     
     
       21. The image forming apparatus of claim 18, wherein the first light source and the second light source include a light emitting diode, respectively. 
     
     
       22. The image forming apparatus of claim 18, further comprising a second light source holder having a reflective material at least on a side surface thereof facing the incidence face of the second light guide, the second light source being mounted to the second light source holder. 
     
     
       23. The image forming apparatus of claim 22, wherein the reflective material of the second light source holder has a light reflectivity of 70% or greater. 
     
     
       24. The image forming apparatus of claim 22, wherein the reflective material of the second light source holder is made out of a white material. 
     
     
       25. A scanner module for an image forming apparatus to scan an object, comprising:
 a first light source;   a first light guide to receive light produced from the first light source;   a second light source;   a second light guide to receive light produced from the second light source, each of the first light guide and the second light guide having an elongated shape with an incidence face formed on one of longitudinal ends thereof to receive light, each of the first light guide and the second light guide to change a direction of the light received through the incidence face; and   a heat radiating member made of an elastically deformable material to cause the first light source to come into close contact with the heat radiating member and to dissipate heat generated from the first light source when the first light source produces the light; and   a first light source holder having a reflective material at least on a side surface thereof facing the incidence face of the first light guide, the first light source being mounted to the first light source holder,   wherein the first light guide and the second light guide includes:
 a first guide face, 
 a second guide face, 
 an emission face provided between the first guide face and the second guide face to emit light from the respective light guide to the object to be scanned, and 
   a reflecting face located opposite to the emission face to reflect light received through the incidence face,   wherein each of the first guide face and the second guide face extends between the longitudinal ends of the first light guide and the second light guide, respectively, such that a first plane corresponding to the first guide face forms an acute angle with a second plane corresponding to the second guide face.   
     
     
       26. The scanner module of claim 25, wherein the reflective material of the first light source holder has a light reflectivity of 70% or greater. 
     
     
       27. The scanner module of claim 25, wherein the reflective material of the first light source holder is made out of a white material. 
     
     
       28. The scanner module of claim 25, wherein the first light source and the second light source include a light emitting diode, respectively. 
     
     
       29. The scanner module of claim 25, further comprising a second light source holder having a reflective material at least on a side surface thereof facing the incidence face of the second light guide, the second light source being mounted to the second light source holder. 
     
     
       30. The scanner module of claim 29, wherein the reflective material of the second light source holder has a light reflectivity of 70% or greater. 
     
     
       31. The scanner module of claim 29, wherein the reflective material of the second light source holder is made out of a white material.